ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Pachmarhi strengthens Sonia's hands

Sonia Gandhi has considerably consolidated her position as Congress president after the three-day brainstorming session at the picturesque hill resort of Pachmarhi.

The party chief appears to have disarmed even rebel Congressmen when, in her concluding address, she pointed out, ''While discussing important issues, partymen should not even aim for unanimity as differences are inevitable, indeed even desirable.''

The statement has taken the wind out of the anti-Sonia group's sails as the party chief has made it crystal clear that she welcomes critical -- albeit constructive -- debate from them. Thus, Sonia has outsmarted them on their own turf and even critical partymen now acknowledge that her position is formidable.

Former Union minister and senior Congressman Rajesh Pilot pointed out, ''The Pachmarhi camp is a fresh beginning for us. It has enabled us to have heart-to-heart discussions on important issues with the blessings of our party chief. She has now emerged much stronger and has instilled a spirit of purpose and enthusiasm among all sections of the party.''

Asked whether Sonia's position could not be challenged, Pilot said, ''We are proud that the Congress is a democratic party with the members having the right to speak out. We have inner-party democracy and, therefore, our right to speak out should not be interpreted as any challenge to the party president.''

Veteran Congressman and former party spokesman V N Gadgil asserted that since Sonia had carried along all the partymen with her during the three-day deliberation, she had emerged a 'winner'.

The overwhelming majority of Congressmen had appreciated the way she had conducted the camp, Gadgil maintained, adding that ''Madame Gandhi has emerged as our undisputed chief''.

Senior party leader and Congress Working Committee member Arjun Singh had no doubts that the party chief had consolidated her hold on the party.

''You have seen the way she facilitated the discussions during the camp,'' he said. ''She was receptive to all ideas and suggestions and that is why all those who attended the camp felt emboldened to speak out without fear or favour on issues they felt strongly about. This is good leadership and we all feel happy with the way she has conducted party affairs.''

Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Vasant Sathe pointed out that Sonia's ''leadership quality'' was reflected in the way she facilitated various discussions.

Senior party leader from Maharashtra Sushil Kumar Shinde said that Sonia's ''political savvy'' could be understood from the fact that she had not closed the party's doors to coalition and alliance politics even though a majority of the Congressmen were against it.

Tell us what you think of this report